264 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



hounds, I do not believe that one of them can be produced 

 capable of duplicating the last part of this performance, 

 unless Russian wolves have degenerated from the standard 

 of power and ferocity with which they were credited in our 

 early days. 



The correspondent of the Fancier' s Gazette arrived at 

 the conclusion, however, that the Russian dogs would stand 

 no chance whatever with an English Greyhound in cours- 

 ing; and this has always been the opinion of the most com- 

 petent and impartial observers in England. Whether the 

 Russian dog be he Greyhound, or Wolfhound is the dog 

 wanted in the Far West for hunting wolves, or not, it is 

 certain that there is one ' ' use ' ' for which he is preemi- 

 nently fitted; i. e., as the "chien de luxe." No other 

 breed combines elegance, speed, and power to the same 

 degree. The Mastiff has the power and disposition for an 

 efficient guard and companion, but lacks the speed and 

 elegance; notwithstanding his distinguished dignity, the 

 same is true of the St. Bernard, and also of the Newfound- 

 land; the Boarhound may have the speed, and doubtless 

 has the power, and the finer drawn specimens have a certain 

 degree of elegance, but there is an expression of ferocity on 

 their faces that unfits them for companions, especially of 

 ladies. With all his elegance and speed, the Greyhound 

 lacks the appearance of power; and the Deerhound has 

 such an air of joughness that elegance seems an impossible 

 attribute. In each and every one of these particulars, the 

 Russian dog is superexcellent; and there is a peculiarly 

 aristocratic, high-bred look about the dog that can be more 

 easily realized than described. As the companion of a 

 well-dressed woman in her walks in park or country, or as 

 the finishing off of a handsome span of horses, I can 

 imagine nothing to equal this dog. 



A most important qualification to this statement is, pro- 

 vided the temper of the particular animal be trustworthy. 

 In this matter there is great diversity; Czar and Ivan, two 

 well-known specimens in this country, are perfect demons 

 in temper toward other dogs, while Elsie is gentle and 



